Importance of Practicing Balance + 8 Fitness Classes to Improve Your Balance
Maintaining your balance is a crucial part of every move you make but it’s not something you can take for granted.
Although you may not think about it too much, you need good balance to do almost all of your daily activities–-walking, standing, getting out of bed, tying your shoes, going upstairs, picking up a child, dancing, and other meaningful movements.
Maintaining your balance is a crucial part of every move you make but it’s not something you can take for granted.
As you age, your ability to balance declines so you need to intentionally practice and work to improve your balance.
Balance is your body’s ability to maintain a controlled body position, whether you are sitting at a desk or taking a hike.
To function effectively in your daily life–facing different environments or performing a variety of tasks–you need to be able to maintain controlled positions during both static (stationary) and dynamic (moving) activities.
Balance is about more than having strong legs; it’s a skill that involves your brain, various muscles throughout your body, and parts of your inner ear.
Without the regular practice of balance, coordination between these parts can deteriorate over time. Intentionally focusing on workouts to maintain or improve your balance is critical to your body’s function and health.
Benefits of Balance Training
Strengthens your Muscles
By practicing balance, the body engages more muscle fibers increasing power and endurance, as well as your agility and speed.
Improve Coordination
Practicing balance requires your entire body to work together, giving you better control over your limbs and core. This improved coordination during your workout will also make you more coordinated in your other daily activities
Improves Posture
Poor posture is an especially common occurrence today that can affect your appearance and confidence, as well as your overall health. However, exercises that focus on balance can help counteract the problems caused by poor posture like neck, back, and shoulder pain, difficulty taking deep breaths, and low energy.
Prevents Injuries
Balance exercises improves your body awareness (proprioception), your reaction time, and can also help improve the stability of your joints all of which can help prevent falls and injuries.
Improves Cognitive Function
Practicing balance can benefit not only your body, but your brain as well.
One 2012 study found that the cognitive function of women suffering from memory problems and confusion improved significantly by including balance training in their fitness routine. On the other hand, a more recent study showed that balance training can also improve memory and spatial cognition in healthy adults.¹
Exercises to Practice and Improve Balance
While all of our Pietra Fitness classes work the entire body, we also offer classes that specifically focus on improving balance through static and dynamic balance exercises.
Here are 8 of our best balance-improving workouts (Please note: you must be a member and login to view the classes.):
Crushing our Vices: Gluttony/Temperance – Balance (30-45 minutes, Level: Intermediate)
Live from Home: Better Balance (15-30 minutes, Level: Intermediate)
Live from Home: Core Activation for Balance (15-30 minutes, Level: Intermediate)
Live from Home: Balance Baby! (30-45 minutes, Level: Intermediate)
Live from Home: Strengthen your Balance (30-45 minutes, Level: Intermediate)
Live from Home: Balance for your Body and your Life (30-45 minutes, Level: Advanced)
Live from Home: Finding Balance (45-60 minutes, Level: Advanced)
Grounded (15-30 minutes, Level: Advanced)
Each class also includes a unique meditation on an important topic in living the Christian life, so not only will you improve your physical balance through these workouts but you will also find your soul reordered and more focused with God at your center.
